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Teen boxer autopsy results await further tests, coroner says

July 31, 2012 | 12:46
pm

More tests are needed to determine what caused a 16-year-old boxer to die after a sparring match at a Burbank gym, officials said Tuesday.

An autopsy was completed for Raul Alvarez Jr., but the results were deferred to allow doctors to perform more tests, which could take eight to 10 weeks, L.A. County coroner’s officials told the Burbank Leader.

After complaining of pain about 6:45 p.m. Thursday at Pullman’s Gym, Alvarez was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he suddenly fell unconscious and died, police said.

The North Hollywood teen was wearing protective gear on his head and lower body when he sparred with another boxer of about the same age and build, police said. Gym staffers also were monitoring the match.

It is unknown if the teen had any previous medical conditions, police said. A manager at Pullman’s could not be reached Tuesday, but a message posted on the gym’s Facebook page said the owners were accepting donations from the public to help the family with funeral costs.